THE SECULARISATION OF INDIAN CULTURE

Relevant for Sociology Paper-I -Religion and Society

Srinivas finds the changes among Hindus regarding the ideas of purity and pollution, in the life cycle rituals, and in the lives and position of the priestly class and also the implications for Hinduism of the changes in caste, village community and joint family.

In India, a higher caste could retain its purity only by abstaining from certain forms of contact with the lower castes, which were considered to be ‘polluting’. Corresponding to the caste hierarchy are hierarchies in food, occupation and style of life. The daily routine was also permeated with ideas of purity and pollution. In order to be pure, one has to have the both, change into ritually pure clothes and avoid contact even with other members of his family who are not in a similar ‘pure’ condition. The Brahmins were most particular about observing the rules of pollution. The notion of pollution and purity has weakened and become less pervasive during the last few decades on account of spread of education, new economic opportunities, specially mobility and urbanisation.

The secularisation process has also led to the abbreviation of the rituals performed at various life cycle crisis. The time spent on rituals at ceremonies such as wedding, name giving, etc. has been reduced and Sanskritic rituals compressed into a few hours.

The orthodox elements among the Hindus have steadily lost prestige in the face of growing secularisation of Hindu life and culture. The new generation of Hindu elite are able to take a critical view of their religion, religious practices and customs.

The significant changes occurring in the caste system, family system and village community have resulted in the reinterpretation of Hinduism. Hinduism has increasingly, though very slowly, been manifesting changes in its traditional social structure of caste, kinship and village community and is increasingly involved with the State, political parties and organisation promoting Indian culture.

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